diff --git a/src/core/lib/iomgr/timer_generic.c b/src/core/lib/iomgr/timer_generic.c
index 09ff2d0c3c5..d4df96c214d 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/iomgr/timer_generic.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/iomgr/timer_generic.c
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ typedef struct {
 /* Protects g_shard_queue */
 static gpr_mu g_mu;
 /* Allow only one run_some_expired_timers at once */
-static gpr_spinlock g_checker_mu = GPR_SPINLOCK_INITIALIZER;
+static gpr_spinlock g_checker_mu = GPR_SPINLOCK_STATIC_INITIALIZER;
 static gpr_clock_type g_clock_type;
 static shard_type g_shards[NUM_SHARDS];
 /* Protected by g_mu */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h b/src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h
index aeb5622726f..06c45de84be 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/support/spinlock.h
@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
 typedef struct { gpr_atm atm; } gpr_spinlock;
 
 #define GPR_SPINLOCK_INITIALIZER ((gpr_spinlock){0})
+#define GPR_SPINLOCK_STATIC_INITIALIZER \
+  { 0 }
 #define gpr_spinlock_trylock(lock) (gpr_atm_acq_cas(&(lock)->atm, 0, 1))
 #define gpr_spinlock_unlock(lock) (gpr_atm_rel_store(&(lock)->atm, 0))
 #define gpr_spinlock_lock(lock) \